Realtors and savvy consumers know that hardwood floors add value to a home.  If you're thinking ripping out that old carpet, we did some research to help you decide how to replace it.

There are three types of hardwood flooring:

Solid wood flooring is available in both unfinished and prefinished versions. Unfinished must be job-site sanded and finished after installation, and prefinished is sanded and finished at the factory, so it only needs to be installed. The latter is most consumer-popular as it is quicker and prefinished warranties are difficult to beat the on-site ones.

Engineered wood flooring is constructed in various layers; the wear layer is hard wood, and underneath is softer wood. Of course, the engineered wood with a thicker wear layer offers more resistance to damage.

The wood grain in Acrylic Impregnated flooring has been injected with an acrylic material to make it very hard and durable; the sealant and color is throughout the entire wood ply, not just the finish. Because it is highly resistant to moisture and scratches, This type of flooring is mostly used in high traffic areas (i.e., malls, restaurants, etc.), but with various colors and patterns, it can also be used in homes.

Which one is for you?  Solid hardwoods may need more maintenance than engineered wood, but they can always be re-sanded and re-finished, and they will retain their value better if they are taken care of.  Engineered wood has become very popular because of it's easier maintenance and low cost. Both engineered wood and acrylic impregnated cannot be re-sanded or re-finished, but the surface can be re-coated.

Red oak is the most popular wood bought by consumers, followed by Maple, Hickory, and Brazilian Cherry. Bamboo flooring is also becoming popular because it is eco-friendly. But when it comes to durability and the hardness of wood, it's important to remember that all hardwoods will scratch and dent. The rule of thumb when it comes to buying hardwood is to get what you like and take care of it.  Beazer's SmartLiving magazine (Dina Santorelli, Fall 2007) says here's how to do it:

1. Vacuum, sweep, or dust mop whenever posible to eliminate grit or sand that can dull the wood's finish.

2. Moisture is not good on hardwood floors, so wipe up spills ASAP, and consider putting an area rug in front of any sinks where you have hardwood.

3. When it comes to furniture, put felt pads on the bottoms of the legs, and never move furniture by sliding it without moving pads on a hardwood floor.

4. Using a humidifier throught the winter months keeps wood movement and shrinkage to a minimum.

5. Watch the high heels, and the dogs nails. Both can cause dents or scratches to wood, no matter how hard it is.

K. Michelle Ross

Executive Assistant to DeAnne Cotthoff

Information gathered from www.lowes.com, www.hardwoodinstaller.com, www.woodfloorsonline.com, www.hardwoodflooringguide.com.